Repent

I've thought a little about this in the last month or so. I don't write this from a perspective of full understanding or conviction, but more as something to be thought-provoking and (hopefully) discussion inducing.

Perhaps the first thing we need to do is lay a foundation of understanding as to what the word 'repent' means scripturally. Repent is often explained as being a word that means to turn around 180 degrees, change direction, turn from something to something else. (The KJV also translates as 'repent' words that imply a feeling of mental and/or emotional remorse or anguish--this is not what I'm talking about)

The word 'repent,' in my experience is often expressed negatively. By that I do not so much mean that people talk about it being a bad thing to experience, but that it is something that is presented from an "or else" standpoint, Ala 'turn or burn.' Every weekend there are people standing on the busy, bar-laden street in my town with signs saying just that. There are also many days were a certain "preacher" comes to the campus on which I labor to share this same message in very loud and obnoxious manner. And, so, this is perhaps at the heart of what I want to discuss.

John the Baptist came with a message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (NIV - Matt 3:2) Then, after John was imprisoned, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the same message (Matt 4:17). Mark 1 puts Jesus words it this way: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (NASB)

Is the phrase "the kingdom of heaven is near (or 'at hand')" a threat? I don't think it is. When Jesus says "repent and believe in the gospel" in Mark 1, remember that the word 'gospel' means 'good news'--this also does not sound like a threat.

It seems to me that the only manner in which repentance seems to be talked about in American Christendom is through spouting threats on God's behalf--why is this? I'm not saying this is true in every circumstance, but I can recall when even people that I know have a solid Biblical foundation (yes, I am implying that the aforementioned "preacher" and sign-bearers do not present Christ from a truly Biblical perspective), have preached repentance strictly from a 'turn or burn' perspective.

When I think about the Jewish population to whom John and Jesus were making this declaration and call to repentance, I am lead to consider that these were a people who probably desired to be part of this 'kingdom of heaven'. Now, I don't believe they all knew what exactly the 'kingdom of heaven' was (and do we?--yet another discussion), especially considering the political situation the Jews were in at the time. Nonetheless, being part of this 'kingdom of heaven,' I think, was something that sounded appealing to those who heard the message.

So, why is it important how repentance is preached? Maybe it doesn't, but my thought is that it probably does. I believe it has an effect on how people view and approach God. It is a difference in motivation--am I turning to God because of the gospel (motivation: good news of Christ), or am I turning away from things that I am afraid will send me to Hell (motivation: fear of consequence)? Is there a difference?

I understand this can lead to a lot of different discussions, so I'm trying to ask my question without myself leading it any one direction, and without making this post any longer. :)